Universal Sets Five-Year Growth Plan

Universal Forest Products may be the largest wood treater in the country, but it's not hanging its hat on that distinction.

Instead, the company is embarking on "Performance 2002," a growth plan centered on strengthened customer relationships, innovative product development, and new merchandising programs-all designed to double the company's current sales of $1.1 billion in five years.

"We're going to continue to grow and look for opportunities in every corner of our business," says Phil Rogers, national retail accounts sales manager. "We intend to increase our market share in total volume by, for instance, improving our current facilities and acquiring successful companies that make strategic sense for our company."

The company added a treating cylinder to its Moultrie, Ga., plant last fall and purchased a treating facility in Lodi, Oh., to serve Michigan, Ohio and Pennsylvania.

"In other words," says Rogers, "we're going to put even more distance between Universal and the other nine guys in the Top Ten."

Universal already stands out as one of the few public national companies in the wood treating industry. Headquartered in Grand Rapids, Mi., the company operates 5l facilities in 44 locations, blanketing North America. "We have back-up plants that can service customers; they can relax knowing that a problem at one facility doesn't translate into a problem with our service to them," says Rogers.

As part of its growth strategy, Universal is enhancing current facilities and acquiring other proven businesses, to expand its capabilities-not only in wood treating but also in engineered building components for conventional site-built residential and commercial construction.

Since its founding nearly 45 years ago, Universal has become a number one supplier to the manufactured housing market, providing pre-cut lumber components and the majority of the roof trusses for the nation's leading manufacturers. It also is a top supplier to the home center retail market, with products such as its Fence Fundamental. Deck Necessities,

Lattice Basics, Storage Solutions and ProWood pressure treated lumber.

As the company continues its growth, it is increasing its manufacturing capabilities, creating another competitive advantage. "If we have fencing that's manufactured onpremise, we can just take it over to the treating cylinder," Rogers says. "We don't have to outsource it."

What's more, Universal can get a larger variety of products on the truck, lowering customers' inventories and improving their turns, while remaining price competitive.

L-P Converts Alaska Complex

James Pullen has been appointed project manager to oversee installation of wood products operations at Louisiana-Pacific Corp.'s shuttered Ketchikan Pulp Co., Ketchikan, Ak., complex.

Pullen, who earlier had retired as a v.p. of Nibco, Inc., will lead the joint venture formed by L-P and Sealaska Timber Corp.

The pulp mill, closed in March 1997, will be replaced by a veneer mill, modernized sawmill and chip mill.